By 1872, his operations had expanded to the point he purchased 800,000 pounds (360,000 kg) of corn from New Mexico Territory at 61⁄2¢/pound and transported it to Arizona via a 33‑day journey by ox cart.
In 1873, he advertised for any Indian "willing to work and earn an honest dollar" while searching for laborers to cut hay for Fort Verde.
[1] At the same time Bean promised to provide free vegetables if he was awarded a contract to operate a farm near Fort McDowell.
[6] In addition to hay and grain, Bean operated a ranch near Fort Verde and a sutler store.
He was known to import items from St. Louis, Missouri to avoid the higher prices charged in San Francisco, California.
[9] The race saw several abnormalities including the disqualification of 650 Bean votes by the Yavapai County Board of Supervisors which had come from the Little Colorado and Lower Lynx Creek precincts.
[10] Bean announced his intention to run for Territorial Delegate again on April 29, 1876 but withdrew his candidacy that year after being accidentally shot with his own weapon a month later.
The matter was dropped when it was realized that Bean's home being located outside of city limits made him ineligible for the position.
[16] As a delegate, Bean secured a right of way for the Southern Pacific Railroad through the Maricopa and Pima Indian reservations.
[17] Other proposals by Bean included a reward for the capture or killing of Geronimo, adding another judge to the territorial supreme court, and incentives for creation of artesian wells.
[19] He was seen as a potential candidate for governor in 1889 but withdrew his name due to his wife's displeasure with life on the frontier and growing financial concerns.
He remained his home in New York for the rest of his life but made numerous trips westward to look after his business interests.